Liquid crystal display module and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same

ABSTRACT

An LCD module includes a user connector part that receives power voltages, image signals and control signals from an external host system and outputs the power voltages, image and control signals through a first integrated type connector and an LCD module having a second integrated type connector connected with the first integrated type connector through an FPC. The LCD module receives power voltages and image and control signals through the second integrated type connector, provides image data signals and timing signals to data lines and provides scan signals to gate lines. Namely, the LCD can receive power voltage, the image signals and control signals through the integrated type connector instead of a plurality of connecting terminals, thereby providing an LCD having slim weight and compact size and reducing the size thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD)apparatus, and more particularly to an LCD module having an integratedtype connector and LCD having the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to confirm the information processed in aninformation-processing device with the naked eye, a display apparatusthat accomplishes an interface function is needed. In the displayapparatus, the processed information is in an electrical signal type.

Recently, an LCD that is lighter, and smaller than a CRT type displayapparatus has been developed. The LCD has a function such as a fullcolor and a high resolution. As a result, the LCD is widely used as amonitor of a computer, a television receiver, and another displaydevice.

However, the LCD requires a lot of terminals such as a D-SUB, a DVI anda video port, etc., to receive image signals and control signalssupplied from an external host system. The terminals are fixed to aprinted circuit board (PCB) disposed in the LCD, so that the weight andsize of the LCD cannot become lighter and smaller.

Further, since the LCD adopts a lot of connectors for electricallyconnecting between input terminals and output terminals and a user hasto check connection status of the connector and operations of the LCDwith other connectors, the throughput of the LCD decreases.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing aliquid crystal display module having slim weight and compact size.

Also, the invention provides a liquid crystal display having the liquidcrystal display module having slim weight and compact size.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid crystaldisplay module comprising: a liquid crystal display panel having aplurality of data lines for transmitting data signals, a plurality ofgate lines, which are intersecting with the plurality of data lines, fortransmitting gate signals and a plurality of pixel regions electricallyconnected to the plurality data lines and gate lines, the liquid crystaldisplay panel for displaying an image corresponding to a differentialvoltage between a voltage of the data signals and a voltage of a commonelectrode in response to the gate signals; a backlight assembly disposedunder the liquid crystal display panel, for providing a light to theliquid crystal display panel; a plurality of integrated circuitselectrically connected to lines of the liquid crystal display panel; aprinted circuit board connected to the integrated circuits, forproviding image signals and control signals to the integrated circuitsin response to a power voltage; and an integrated type connector havinga first type integrated connector and a second integrated type connectorbeing disposed in the printed circuit board, the second integrated typeconnector for receiving the power voltage, the image signals and thecontrol signals which controls operation of the liquid crystal displaypanel through the first integrated type connector from a user connectingpart and providing the power voltage, image signals and control signalsto the printed circuit-board.

The second integrated type connector is connected to the firstintegrated type connector in a docking manner which is attachable anddetachable therebetween and the second integrated type connector isconnected to the first integrated type connector connected to the userconnecting part by means of a predetermined flexible cable.

The first integrated type connector has a plug shape and the secondintegrated type connector has a socket shape. The first integrated typeconnector may further comprise an input port for receiving apredetermined program from an external host system and the secondintegrated type connector further includes an output port for outputtingthe program to the printed circuit board.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid crystaldisplay apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal display panel; aTAB-integrated circuit connected to a predetermined line formed in theliquid crystal display panel; a printed circuit board connected to theTAB-integrated circuit; a backlight assembly disposed under the liquidcrystal display panel; a user connecting part for receiving a powervoltage, image signals and control signals for controlling display ofthe image signals from an external host system and outputting the powervoltage, the image signals and the control signals; and a liquid crystaldisplay module for receiving the power voltage, the image signals andthe control signals from the user connecting part, providing the imagesignals and timing signals that control output of the image signals todata lines formed in the liquid crystal display panel and sequentiallyoutputting scan signals to gate lines formed in the liquid crystaldisplay panel.

The liquid crystal display module includes an interfacing printedcircuit board having a second integrated type connector, for receivingthe power voltage, the image signals and control signals, outputting abacklight power voltage through a first terminal thereof and outputtingimage data and gate signal through a second terminal thereof; a drivingprinted circuit board for converting the image data into an analogformat, providing the image data to the data lines and sequentiallyproviding the gate signal to the gate lines; and a backlight inverterfor providing a power voltage to a lamp in response to the backlightpower voltage.

The liquid crystal display module includes an interfacing printedcircuit board having a second integrated type connector, for receivingthe power voltage, the image signals and control signals, outputting abacklight power voltage through a first terminal thereof, outputtingimage data through a second terminal thereof and outputting a gatesignal through a third terminal thereof; a data driving printed circuitboard for converting the image data into an analog format and providingthe image data to the data lines; a gate driving printed circuit boardfor sequentially providing the gate signal to the gate lines; and abacklight inverter for providing a power voltage to a lamp in responseto the backlight power voltage.

The interfacing printed circuit board further includes a memory forstoring a program supplied from the external host system therein.

The liquid crystal display module has an integrated printed circuitboard having a second integrated type connector, for receiving the powervoltage, the image signals and control signals, outputting a backlightpower voltage through a first terminal thereof, converting the imagedata into an analog format and providing the image data to the datalines through a second terminal thereof and sequentially providing thegate signal to the gate lines through a third terminal thereof; and abacklight inverter for providing a power voltage to a lamp in responseto the backlight power voltage.

The liquid crystal display module has an integrated printed circuitboard having a second integrated type connector, for receiving the powervoltage, the image signals and control signals, outputting a backlightpower voltage through a first terminal thereof, converting the imagedata into an analog format and providing the image data and a scansignal that sequentially selects the image data to the gate linesthrough a second terminal thereof; and a backlight inverter forproviding a power voltage to a lamp in response to the backlight powervoltage.

According to the LCD, the LCD can receive the power voltage, the imagesignals and control signals through the integrated type connectorinstead of a plurality of connecting terminals, thereby providing theLCD having slim weight and compact size and reducing the cost thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparently by describing in detail the exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing an LCD having an integrated type connector inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the integrated type connectors as shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an integratedboard shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an LCD having an integrated type connector inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an LCD having an integrated type connector inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an interfacing PCB as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an LCD having an integrated type connector inaccordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an interfacing PCB as shown in FIG. 7.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an LCD having an integrated type connector inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the LCD includes a user connecting part 100, aninput/output part 200 and an LCD module.

The user connecting part 100 includes a first input terminal 110 forreceiving a power voltage, a second input terminal 112 for receiving animage signal formatted in analog type from an external host system (notshown), a third input terminal 114 for receiving an image signalformatted in digital type from the external host system and a firstintegrated type connector 102 for outputting the power voltage and theimage signals to the LCD module 900 through a plurality of ports. Thefirst integrated type connector 102 is connected with the userconnecting part 100 by means of a flexible printed circuit board(hereinafter, referred to as an “FPC”).

The input/output part 200 includes a plurality of keys to controlfunctions of the LCD module 900 such as contrast, color, position ofscreen, image, brightness, mode of video, auto-configuration, systeminformation and power and so on. The input/output part 200 provideskey-input signals generated by a user toward the LCD module 900 throughthe user connecting part 100, receives responsive signals correspondingto the key-input signals from the LCD module 900 and indicates theresponsive signals to the user with an LED or the like. The user cancontrol the functions of the LCD module 900 with OSD provided on thescreen of the LCD module 900 instead of the plurality of keys.

The LCD module 900 includes an integrated board 300, a backlightinverter 400 and an LCD panel (not shown) and displays a predeterminedimage in response to the power voltage, image signals and control signalprovided from the user connecting part 100.

The integrated board 300 includes a first interfacing part 302, a secondintegrated type connector 310, a control/power part, an LCD driving partand an ADC/TMDS/scaler part. The integrated board 300 receives the powervoltage, the image signals and the control signal and provides the powervoltage to the backlight inverter 400 through the first interfacing part302. The integrated board 300 provides the image signal formatted in theanalog type and a gate signal to the LCD panel through driver IC 304.The driver IC 304 that is TAB (tape-automated bonding) IC includes adata driver IC connected to a data line formed in the LCD panel a gatedriver IC connected to a gate line formed therein. The data driver ICprovides a data signal to the data line and the gate driver ICsequentially provides a gate signal to the gate lines.

The first integrated type connector 102 has a plug shape or a socketshape and the second integrated type connector 310 has a shape oppositeto the first integrated type connector 102 between the plug and socketshapes.

As described above, since the power voltage, the image signals and thecontrol signals are provided to the LCD module 900 through integratedports such as the first and second integrated type connectors 102 and310, there is no need to use cables for checking signals to check theoperations of the LCD module 900 and the LCD, thereby decreasingproduction steps of the LCD. Also, the appearance of the LCD becomessimple by using the integrated type connectors.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the first and second integrated type connectorsshown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first integrated type connector 102 isconnected with the user connecting part 100 by means of the FPC and thesecond integrated type connector 310 is connected with the LCD module900. The first and second integrated type connectors 102 and 310 includea terminal for the power voltage, a plurality of terminals for the imagesignals formatted in the analog type, a plurality of terminals for theimage signals formatted in the digital type and a terminal fordownloading a program from the external host system, respectively.

In general, the image signals supplied from the external host systemhave to be converted into a form corresponding to a resolution of theLCD. The scaler functions to convert the image signals into the formcorresponding to the resolution of the LCD and the program for theoperation of the scaler is downloaded from the external host systemthrough the first and second integrated type connectors 102 and 310.

The first and second integrated type connectors 102 and 310 respectivelyhave a hook and a hole so that the first and second integrated typeconnectors are easily connected with each other. It is preferably thatin a case where the first integrated type connector 102 has the plugshape, the second integrated type connector 310 has the socket shape.

The plurality of terminals connected with the first integrated typeconnector 102 and the plurality of terminals connected with the secondintegrated type connector 310 are disposed on the same line.

Although the connector having a socket shape which is provided to theLCD module and the connector having a plug shape which is provided tothe user connecting part are shown in the figures, the connector havinga socket type and the connector having a plug type may be provided tothe user connecting part and the LCD module, respectively.

Further, a hook for connection is provided to the socket type connectorin the figure. However, the hook for connection may be provided to theplug type connector.

As described above, in the integrated type connector in accordance withthe present invention, the power signal, various image signals andcontrol signals are applied to the plurality of terminals that arearranged on the same line. Therefore, the structure of the connector iscompact and the LCD module may be slimed.

Further, the integrated type connector in accordance with the presentinvention has a docking form. Therefore, when performing an inspectionprocess for checking whether or not the LCD module and the LCD deviceare normally operated after manufacturing the LCD module and the LCDdevice, the module or device is coupled to a corresponding inspectiondevice (not shown) via a docking method so that the module or device areoperated by automatically downloading a program from the external hostsystem.

Also, since a specific port of the integrated type connector may be usedas a download terminal that receives the program needed to the LCD, itis able to easily standardize the hardware of the LCD.

Further, as described in the above embodiment, the conventional LCDseparately adopts input terminals for receiving the power voltage, imagesignals and control signals. However, in the present invention, byapplying the power signal or any various signals via the integrated typeconnector, the manufacturer may easily confirm the normal operation ofthe LCD. As a result, the inspection process may be simplified and anyadditional cost for separately providing a connector may be reduced.

Further, the user does not require any lines for supplying power orapplying various image signals to the LCD device, the LCD device may beconnected to a host system for the inspection via the integratedconnector. Thus, the assembling process may be easily performed.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the integrated type board as shown inFIG. 1 will be explained with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the integratedboard shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the integrated board 300 includes the firstinterfacing part 302, the second integrated type connector 310, ascaling control part 320, a power control part 330, a timing controlpart 340, a data driver unit 350, a gate driver unit 360 and a memory370.

The second integrated type connector 310 includes a power voltage port310 a, a key input port 310 b, an LED port 310 c, a transition minimizeddifferential signaling (TMDS) port 310 d, a video port 310 e, an ADCport 310 f and a download port 310 g. The second integrated typeconnector 310 is connected with the first integrated type connector 102of the user connecting part 100 connected with the external host system.The second integrated type connector 310 provides signals from theexternal host system through the first integrated type connector 102 tothe scaling control part 320 and power control part 330.

The scaling control part 320 scales the signal from the secondintegrated type connector 310, provides the scaled signal 322 to thetiming control part 340 and provides an LCD on/off control signal to thepower control part 330. The scaling control part 320 provides abacklight on/off control signal and brightness control signal to thebacklight inverter 400 through the first interfacing part 302.

The power control part 330 includes a DC/DC converter 332, an LCD analogpower inverter 334 and an LCD digital power inverter 336. The powercontrol part 330 changes the level of the power voltage supplied throughthe power voltage port 310 a of the second integrated type connector 310and provides a predetermined power voltage to the timing control part340, the data driver unit 350 and the gate driver unit 360. The powercontrol part 330 provides a control voltage for controlling the gateon/off to the gate driver unit 360.

The timing control part 340 receives a vertical synchronizing signalVsync, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, a main clock signalMCLK, RGB image data and a data enable signal DE from the scalingcontrol part 320. To control the display timing of the RGB data, thetiming control part 340 generates a first timing signal 342 in responseto the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals Vsync and Hsync andprovides the first timing signal 342 and the RGB data to the data driverunit 350. The first timing signal 342 includes a load signal TP and ahorizontal synchronizing start signal STH. The load signal TP indicatestiming that the RGB data are output to the LCD panel through the datadriver IC and the horizontal synchronizing start signal STH indicates ascan timing of the scan lines.

To control the display timing of the RGB data, the timing control part340 generates a second timing signal 344 in response to the vertical andhorizontal synchronizing signals Vsync and Hsync from the scalingcontrol part 320 and provides the second timing signal 344 to the gatedriver unit 360. The second timing signal 344 includes a gate selectingsignal CPV, a vertical synchronizing start signal STV and an outputenable signal OE. The gate selecting signal CPV controls the output ofthe gate on/off signal and the vertical synchronizing start signal STVselects a first scan lines among the scan lines.

The data driver unit 350 outputs a data voltage to the LCD panel inresponse to the image signal and the first timing signal 342 from thetiming control part 340. That is, the data driver unit 350 stores theRGB data from the timing control part 340 and outputs the data voltagesD1, D2, . . . , Dn to the LCD panel in response to the load signal TP.

The gate driver unit 360 outputs the gate signal in response to thesecond timing signal 344 from the timing control part 340. That is, thegate driver unit 360 receives the gate clock signal and the verticalsynchronizing start signal STV and outputs the gate signals G1, G2, . .. , Gn to the LCD panel, so that a predetermined voltage is supplied tothe respective pixels formed in the LCD panel.

In the memory 370, a predetermined program inputted through the downloadport 310 g of the second integrated type connector 310 is stored. Thememory 370 provides the stored program to the scaling control part 340.The program includes a control program for the scaling control part 340,a system program for the LCD or a verifying program for the LCD.

As aforementioned above, the data signal, the gate signal and thecontrol signal from the LCD module are outputted through the driving PCBdisposed in one side of the LCD panel. However, the data signal and thegate signal can be output through the data driver PCB and the gatedriver PCB, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an LCD in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the LCD includes an integrated board 300 and an LCDpanel. A first end of the integrated board 30 is connected with the LCDpanel by means of a data driver IC and second end of the integratedboard 30 is connected with the LCD by means of a gate driver IC. Thedata driver IC provides a data signal to the LCD panel and the gatedriver IC provides a gate signal thereto.

The LCD shown in FIG. 4 adopts a single bank structure of which the gatedriver IC is disposed in the first end of the LCD. However, the firstand second integrated type connectors 102 and 310 can be applied to anLCD having a dual bank structure of which the gate driver IC is disposedin the first and second ends of the LCD.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an LCD in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the LCD includes the user connecting part 100, theinput/output part 200 and the LCD module 900. The user connecting part100 and the input/output part 200 execute the functions identical withthe function of that shown in FIG. 1.

The LCD module 900 includes an interfacing PCB 500, a backlight inverter400, a driving PCB 600 and an LCD panel (not shown) and displays apredetermined image in response to a power voltage, an image signal anda control signal supplied from the user connecting part 100.

In particular, the interfacing PCB 500 includes the second integratedtype connector 310 and first and second interfacing parts 502 and 504and receives the power voltage, the image signal and the control signalthrough the first integrated type connector 102 of the user connectingpart 100 and the second integrated type connector 310. The interfacingPCB 500 provides the image signal and the control signal to the drivingPCB 600 through the first interfacing part 504 and provides the powervoltage for driving the backlight through the second interfacing part506.

In a case where the LCD module 900 has an analog interface, the imagesignal is the RGB signal formatted in the analog type and theinterfacing PCB 500 is an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) thatconverts the analog image signal into the digital image signal. When theADC is provided, the EMI and noise problems can be reduced, which is anadvantage of using the analog signals. Further, the signals may betransmitted over a long distance.

Also, in a case where the LCD module 900 has a digital interface, theimage signal is the RGB signal formatted in the digital type.

The backlight inverter 400 receives the backlight power voltage from theinterfacing PCB 500 and provides the predetermined power voltage to thebacklight (not shown).

The LCD panel disposed in front side of the LCD module 900 includes thedata lines and gate lines formed in a matrix, switching devices of whichgate is connected with the gate line and source is connected with thedata line, capacitors connected with drain of the switching devices andstorage capacitors. Responsive the gate signal G1, G2, . . . , Gn inputfrom the driving PCB 600 through the gate lines, the LCD panel displaysthe image corresponding the voltage of the data signal D1, D2, . . . ,Dn supplied through the data lines.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the interfacing PCB shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the interfacing PCB 600 includes the secondintegrated type connector 310, the first and second interfacing parts504 and 506, the scaling control part 520, the power voltage controlpart 530, the timing control part 540 and the memory 550.

The second integrated type connector 310 includes the power voltage port310 a, the key input port 310 b, the LED port 310 c, the TMDS port 310d, the video port 310 e, the ADC port 310 f and the download port 310 g.The second integrated type connector 310 is connected with the firstintegrated type connector 102 of the user connecting part 100 connectedwith the external host system. The second integrated type connector 310provides signals from the external host system through the firstintegrated type connector 102 to the scaling control part 520 and powercontrol part 530.

The scaling control part 520 scales the signal from the secondintegrated type connector 310, provides the scaled signal 522 to thetiming control part 540 and provides an LCD on/off control signal to thepower control part 530. The scaling control part 520 provides abacklight on/off control signal and brightness control signal to thebacklight inverter 400.

The power control part 530 includes a DC/DC converter 532, an LCD analogpower inverter 34 and an LCD digital power inverter 536. The powercontrol part 530 changes the level of the power voltage supplied throughthe power voltage port 310 a of the second integrated type connector 310and provides a predetermined power voltage to the timing control part540 and the driving PCB 600. The power control part 530 provides acontrol voltage VON and VOFF for controlling the gate on/off to thedriving PCB 600.

Particularly, the DC/DC converter 532 receives the power voltage withinthe range of about 7 to 24 volts through the power voltage port 310 a ofthe second integrated type connector 310 and provides the power voltageto the LCD analog power inverter 534 and the LCD digital power inverter536.

The LCD analog power inverter 534 receives a first power voltage fromthe DC/DC converter 532 and provides the first power voltage to thedriving PCB 600 through the second interfacing part 504.

The LCD digital power inverter 536 receives a second power voltage fromthe DC/DC converter 532 and generates a predetermined power voltagehaving 3.3 volts in response to the LCD on/off control signal suppliedfrom the scaling control part 520. The LCD digital power inverter 536provides the 3.3 volts to the timing control part 540 and the drivingPCB 600 and provides the gate on/off voltage VON and VOFF to the drivingPCB 600.

The timing control part 540 receives a vertical synchronizing signalVsync, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, a main clock signalMCLK, RGB image data and a data enable signal DE from the scalingcontrol part 520. To control the display timing of the RGB data, thetiming control part 540 generates a first timing signal 542 in responseto the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals Vsync and Hsync andprovides the first timing signal 542 and the RGB data to the driving PCB600. The first timing signal 542 includes a load signal TP and ahorizontal synchronizing start signal STH. The load signal TP indicatesa timing that the RGB data are outputted to the LCD panel through thedata driver IC and the horizontal synchronizing start signal STHindicates a scan timing of the scan lines.

To control the display timing of the RGB data, the timing control part540 generates a second timing signal 544 in response to the vertical andhorizontal synchronizing signals Vsync and Hsync from the scalingcontrol part 320 and provides the second timing signal 544 to thedriving PCB 600. The second timing signal 544 includes a gate selectingsignal CPV, a vertical synchronizing start signal STV and an outputenable signal OE.

In the memory 550, a predetermined program inputted through the downloadport 310 g of the second integrated type connector 310 is stored. Thememory 550 provides the stored program to the scaling control part 540.The program includes a control program for the scaling control part 340,a system program for the LCD or a verifying program for the LCD.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an LCD in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the LCD includes the user connecting part 100, theinput/output part 200 and the LCD module 900. The user connecting part100 and the input/output part 200 execute the functions identical withthe function of that shown in FIG. 1.

The LCD module 900 includes the interfacing PCB 500, the backlightinverter 400, a data driver PCB 700, a gate driver PCB 800 and an LCDpanel (not shown) and displays a predetermined image in response to thepower voltage, the image signal and the control signal supplied from theuser connecting part 100.

In particular, the interfacing PCB 500 includes the second integratedtype connector 310 and first, second and third interfacing parts 504,506 and 508 and receives the power voltage, the image signal and thecontrol signal through the first integrated type connector 102 of theuser connecting part 100 and the second integrated type connector 310.The interfacing PCB 500 provides the power voltage for driving thebacklight through the first interfacing part 504, provides the imagesignal and the first timing signal to the data driver PCB 700 throughthe second interfacing part 506 and provides the second timing signal tothe gate driver PCB 800 through the third interfacing part 508.

In a case where the LCD module 900 has an analog interface, the imagesignal is the RGB signal formatted in the analog type and theinterfacing PCB 500 adopts the ADC that converts the analog image signalinto the digital image signal. When the ADC is provided, the EMI andnoise problems can be reduced, which is an advantage of using the analogsignals. Further, the signals may be transmitted over a long distance.

Also, in a case where the LCD module 900 has a digital interface, theimage signal is the RGB signal formatted in the digital type.

The backlight inverter 400 receives the backlight power voltage from theinterfacing PCB 500 and provides the predetermined power voltage to thebacklight (not shown).

The data driver PCB 700 includes an interfacing part 710 and a pluralityof data driver ICs 560 a. The data driver PCB 700 outputs a data voltageto the LCD panel in response to the image signal and the first timingsignal from the interfacing part 500. That is, the data driver PCB 700stores the RGB data and outputs the data voltages D1, D2, . . . , Dn tothe LCD panel in response to the load signal TP.

The gate driver PCB 800 includes an interfacing part 810 and a pluralityof gate driver ICs 560 b. The gate driver PCB 800 outputs the gatesignal to the LCD panel in response to the second timing signal 344 fromthe interfacing PCB 500. That is, the gate driver PCB 800 receives thegate clock signal and the vertical synchronizing start signal STV andoutputs the gate signals G1, G2, . . . , Gn to the LCD panel, so that apredetermined voltage is supplied to the respective pixels formed in theLCD panel.

The LCD shown in FIG. 7 adopts a single bank structure of which the gatedriver IC 560 b is disposed in the first end of the LCD. However, thefirst and second integrated type connectors 102 and 310 can be appliedto an LCD having a dual bank structure of which the gate driver IC 560 bis disposed in the first and second ends of the LCD.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the interfacing PCB shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the interfacing PCB 500 includes the firstto third interfacing part 504, 506 and 508, the second integrated typeconnector 310, the scaling control part 520, the power control part 530,the timing control part 540 and a memory 550 as explained with referenceto FIG. 6. Any further descriptions will be omitted.

The power control part 530 includes a DC/DC converter 532, an LCD analogpower inverter 534 and an LCD digital power inverter 536. The powercontrol part 530 changes the level of the power voltage supplied throughthe power voltage port 310 a of the second integrated type connector 310and provides a predetermined power voltage to the timing control part540, the data driver PCB 700 and the gate driver PCB 800. The powercontrol part 530 provides a control voltage VON and VOFF for controllingthe gate on/off to the gate driver PCB 800.

The DC/DC converter 532 receives the power voltage within the range ofabout 7 to 24 volts through the power voltage port 310 a of the secondintegrated type connector 310 and provides the power voltage to the LCDanalog power inverter 534 and the LCD digital power inverter 536.

The LCD analog power inverter 534 receives a first power voltage fromthe DC/DC converter 532 and provides an analog power voltage AVDD to thedata driver PCB 700 through the second interfacing part 504. The LCDdigital power inverter 536 receives a second power voltage from theDC/DC converter 532 and generates a predetermined power voltage having3.3 volts in response to the LCD on/off control signal supplied from thescaling control part 520. The LCD digital power inverter 536 providesthe 3.3 volts to the timing control part 540, the data driver PCB 700and the gate driver PCB 800 and provides the gate on/off voltage VON andVOFF to the gate driver PCB 800.

The timing control part 540 receives a vertical synchronizing signalVsync, a horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, a main clock signalMCLK, RGB image data and a data enable signal DE from the scalingcontrol part 520. To control the display timing of the RGB data, thetiming control part 540 generates a first timing signal 542 in responseto the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals Vsync and Hsync andprovides the first timing signal 542 and the RGB data to the data driverPCB 700. The first timing signal 542 includes a load signal TP and ahorizontal synchronizing start signal STH. The load signal TP indicatestiming that the RGB data are output to the LCD panel through the datadriver IC 560 a and the horizontal synchronizing start signal STHindicates a scan timing of the scan lines.

To control the display timing of the RGB data, the timing control part540 generates a second timing signal 544 in response to the vertical andhorizontal synchronizing signals Vsync and Hsync from the scalingcontrol part 320 and provides the second timing signal 544 to the gatedriver PCB 800. The second timing signal 544 includes a gate selectingsignal CPV, a vertical synchronizing start signal STV and an outputenable signal OE.

In the memory 550, a predetermined program inputted through the downloadport 310 g of the second integrated type connector 310 is stored. Thememory 550 provides the stored program to the scaling control part 540.The program includes a control program for the scaling control part 340,a system program for the LCD or a verifying program for the LCD.

In the above embodiment, a separate interface PCB is installed in an LCDmodule for maintaining compatibleness with a general CRT type monitorand the integrated type connector is provided to the interface PCB.However, the integrated type connector may be applied to an LCD modulewithout the above interface PCB.

According to the above-mentioned LCD, the LCD can receive the powervoltage, the image signals and control signals through the integratedtype connector instead of a plurality of connecting terminals, therebyproviding the LCD having slim weight and compact size and reducing thecost thereof.

The integrated type connector is connected with another device of theLCD through the FPC, so that the LCD can be designed to have variousconfigurations.

Also, since the integrated type connector is used as a download terminalthat receives the program needed to the LCD, it is able to easilystandardize the hardware of the LCD.

Further, although the LCD does not separately adopt input terminals forreceiving the power voltage, image signals and control signals, autotest functions that checks the operation status of the LCD can beexecuted through the integrated type connector.

This invention has been described above with reference to theaforementioned embodiments. It is evident, however, that manyalternative modifications and variations will be apparent to thosehaving skills in the art in light of the foregoing description.Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternativemodifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1. A liquid crystal display module comprising: a liquid crystal displaypanel having a plurality of data lines for transmitting data signals, aplurality of gate lines, which are intersecting with the plurality ofdata lines, for transmitting gate signals and a plurality of pixelregions electrically connected to the data lines and gate lines, theliquid crystal display panel displaying images corresponding to adifferential voltage between a voltage of the data signals and a voltageof a common electrode in response to the gate signals; a backlightassembly disposed under the liquid crystal display panel, for providinga light to the liquid crystal display panel; a plurality of integratedcircuits electrically connected to lines of the liquid crystal displaypanel; a printed circuit board, connected to the integrated circuits,for providing image signals and control signals to the integratedcircuits in response to a power voltage; and an integrated typeconnector having a first integrated type connector and a secondintegrated type connector and being disposed in the printed circuitboard, the second integrated type connector receiving the power voltage,the image signals and the control signals which controls operation ofthe liquid crystal display panel though the first integrated typeconnector from a user connecting part and providing the power voltage,image signals and control signals to the printed circuit board.
 2. Theliquid crystal display module of claim 1, wherein the second integratedtype connector is connected to the first integrated type connector in adocking manner which is attachable and detachable between the second andfirst integrated type connectors.
 3. The liquid crystal display moduleof claim 1, wherein the second integrated type connector is connected tothe first'integrated type connector connected to the user connectingpart by means of a predetermined flexible cable.
 4. The liquid crystaldisplay module of claim 1, wherein the first integrated type connectorhas a plug shape and the second integrated type connector has a socketshape.
 5. The liquid crystal display module of claim 1, wherein thefirst integrated type connector comprises an input port for receiving apredetermined program from an external host system, and the secondintegrated type connector further comprises an output port foroutputting the program to the printed circuit board.
 6. A liquid crystaldisplay apparatus comprising: a liquid crystal display panel; anintegrated circuit connected to a predetermined line formed in theliquid crystal display panel; a printed circuit board connected to theintegrated circuit; a backlight assembly disposed under the liquidcrystal display panel; a user connecting part for receiving a powervoltage, image signals and control signals for controlling display ofthe image signals from an external host system and outputting the powervoltage, the image signals and the control signals; and a liquid crystaldisplay module for receiving the power voltage, the image signals andthe control signals from the user connecting part, providing the imagesignals and timing signals that control output of the image signals todata lines formed in the liquid crystal display panel and sequentiallyoutputting scan signals to gate lines formed in the liquid crystaldisplay panel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the user connectingpart comprises: a first input terminal for receiving the power voltage;a plurality of second input terminals for receiving the image signalsformatted in analog type from the external host system; a plurality ofthird input terminals for receiving the image signals formatted indigital type from the external host system; and a first integrated typeconnector having a plurality of output ports, for providing the powervoltage and the image signals formatted in the analog and digital typesfrom the external host system to the liquid crystal display modulethough the plurality of output ports.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the liquid crystal display module comprises: an interfacingprinted circuit board having a second integrated type connector, forreceiving the power voltage, the image signals and control signals,outputting a backlight power voltage through a first terminal thereofand outputting image data and gate signal though a second terminalthereof; a driving printed circuit board for converting the image datainto an analog format, providing the image data to the data lines andsequentially providing the gate signal to the gate lines; and abacklight inverter for providing a power voltage to a lamp in responseto the backlight power voltage.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theliquid crystal display module comprises: an interfacing printed circuitboard having a second integrated type connector, for receiving the powervoltage, the image signals and control signals, outputting a backlightpower voltage through a first terminal thereof, outputting image datathrough a second terminal thereof and outputting a gate signal through athird terminal thereof; a data driving printed circuit board forconverting the image data into an analog format and providing the imagedata to the data lines; a gate driving printed circuit board forsequentially providing the gate signal to the gate lines; and abacklight inverter for providing a power voltage to a lamp in responseto the backlight power voltage.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe interfacing printed circuit board further comprises a memory forstoring a program supplied from the external host system.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the liquid crystal display modulecomprises: an integrated printed circuit board having a secondintegrated type connector, for receiving the power voltage, the imagesignals and control signals, outputting a backlight power voltagethrough a first terminal thereof; converting the image data into ananalog format and providing the image data to the data lines though asecond terminal thereof and sequentially providing the gate signal tothe gate lines through a third terminal thereof; and a backlightinverter for providing a power voltage to a lamp in response to thebacklight power voltage.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein theliquid crystal display module comprises: an integrated printed circuitboard having a second integrated type connector, for receiving the powervoltage, the image signals and control signals, outputting a backlightpower voltage through a first terminal thereof, converting the imagedata into an analog format and providing the image data and a scansignal that sequentially selects the image data to the gate linesthrough a second terminal thereof and a backlight inverter for providinga power voltage to a lamp in response to the backlight power voltage.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the integrated printed circuitboard comprises a memory for storing a program supplied from theexternal host system.
 14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the secondintegrated type connector is coupled with the first integrated typeconnector in a docking manner which is attachable and detachable betweenthe second and first integrated type connectors.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the first integrated type connector is connected tothe user connecting part by means of a predetermined flexible cable. 16.The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first integrated type connectorhas a plug shape and the second integrated type connector has a socketshape.
 17. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first integrated typeconnector comprises an input port for receiving a predetermined programfrom an external host system, and the second integrated type connectorfurther comprises an output port for outputting the program to theprinted circuit board.